Whether it was Hehuang or Qingtang, Zhao Xi read all the reports. Fortunately, he thought too much and did not throw nearly a thousand soldiers in that passage.
Twelve strongholds will be the twelve military depots in the future, and thousands of soldiers will survive this cold winter and accumulate quite useful experience for the construction of military depots for the engineering troops in the coming year.
Zhao Xi is looking forward to spring, the cabinet ministers are also looking forward to spring, Wang Shao and Zhang Dun are also looking forward to spring's return.
But no one was stationed on that passage, and no one looked forward to spring so strongly.
Fortunately, the last batch of supplies came from the imperial court, including cotton-padded clothes, quilts and charcoal, as well as the official instructions for winter prepared by the Ministry of War.
What's even more fortunate is that each of their strongholds is accompanied by engineering soldiers. They completely follow the design of the military station and roughly distinguish the areas of the camp.
If it weren't for these two points, they would probably have either been frozen to death or stunk to death by themselves.
The snow is so heavy that there is no edge, and there is no direction to go out. The only thing that can be seen clearly is these barracks...
Every few days, everyone needs to clear the snow in the camp to ensure that they have space to exercise... This is an iron rule in the new army. As long as it is not wartime, the prescribed training cannot be omitted.
The final result was that their camp was completely surrounded by snowdrifts.
The corps commander needed to record the weather. No one knew what the records required by the officials were for, but the engineers from Gongfang City thought of a way.
In all their strongholds, they boil a bucket of water every hour, and then see how long it takes to freeze. They use this method to judge the degree of coldness...
But the engineering soldiers said again that the camp surrounded by snowdrifts is different from the outside.
Therefore, they dug out a passage in the surrounding snowdrift that could only allow one person to pass.
Zhao Xi would not have thought that one of his idle orders that he thought was impossible would actually be done by a soldier.
In fact, after the Yunying Four Prefectures were recovered, the engineering soldiers had experience in working in the Yunying Four Prefectures and had experienced severe winters. Although they could not compare with this passage, they still had some methods.
This time they sent engineers here. Su Song and Shen Kuo thought of this based on some requirements from the officials and selected engineers who had done work in the four prefectures of Yunying.
…
When the capital's water supervisor asked the imperial court to provide money and food to the state capitals along the Yellow River to prevent floods, officials and cabinet ministers all gave money and food to those who had plenty.
Those who don't know the inside story have no idea that they have taken advantage of the soldiers on the northwest front.
This is spring is coming.
However, the report from Qingtang is still: the westward journey is blocked.
"I'm afraid it won't be until April that the snow over there melts!"
Zhao Xi was not sure either, so he could only tell the cabinet ministers this way.
It's rare to see a cabinet minister worry so much about the soldiers at the front. Really, Zhao Xi really felt some changes in the court at this time.
"It's a pity that the track between China and North Korea has not been laid to Qingtang, let alone further west. Otherwise, what if there is snow? The track carriage will not be affected by the weather!"
This is really anxious. Think about it, for more than half a year, the court has no idea what is going on ahead.
This is not only a matter of the lives of thousands of New Army soldiers, but also a major matter involving the success of the country's plan for Xixia.
Orbital carriage? Wait... Zhao Xi felt as if he had missed something. Throughout the winter, all he could think about was keeping the soldiers at the front cold and avoiding casualties caused by the weather. He tried to be as thorough as possible
Considering the supplies they need to survive this winter, I have never thought of letting them travel.
Oh, what a brain! How can I forget this?
"Xuan Su Song, Shen Kuo comes to see you!"
Zhao Xi had forgotten that this was still a discussion and he needed to rush. Fortunately, it was not too late at this time. Although it was delayed for a winter, winter casualties were also avoided.
"Official family······"
The cabinet minister is a little confused. Why are the officials so excited all of a sudden?
"Prime Minister Fu, the imperial court issued an urgent edict, asking Wang Shao, Su Zhe and others to search the entire Qingtang River and Huanghuang for soldiers who can identify the direction in the snow. It is really not possible to extend the scope to the Tubo people, but they must ensure their loyalty.
, even businessmen, while ensuring that these people cannot leak the news, gather together and wait for the court's next move!"
"Zhongzheng, prepare pen and ink!"
Zhao Xi was really a little excited. He was so excited about this flash of inspiration. How could he forget this? Later generations of Northeastern sleighs...
No matter how much snow has fallen in the northwest in the winter, the snow should be getting more solid now. The speed of the sled on the snow will probably not be slower than that of the track carriage.
"By the way, the rich prime minister also told Wang Shao and others that they would requisition some of the Tibetan mastiff dogs, which are the particularly powerful large mastiff dogs!"
Tibetan mastiffs pulling sleds west of the icy Qingtang will change the traditional habits of the entire northwest.
The sleigh is very simple, much simpler than the track carriage. It only takes a few simple strokes to draw a rough outline.
Of course, the edict does not need to be drafted by cabinet ministers. There is a secretariat dedicated to this, and only the official seal and the cabinet seal are required. Cabinet ministers continue to pay attention to the actions of the official family.
Is this a car? It doesn't really look like it. There are no wheels, but there are slightly raised boards at both ends. It does look like a car.
"Guan family, what is this?"
"Let's talk together when Su Song and others arrive."
Su Song and Shen Kuo arrived in a hurry, and the summons from the officials was amplified by the internal eunuch who delivered the order. It was said that the officials and cabinet ministers were waiting. This is true.
"Zirong, Cunzhong, let's take a look. When will this thing be produced in Workshop City at the earliest? How big can the production be?"
Zhao Xi handed Su Song the crude so-called drawing he drew casually and asked questions directly.
Su Song looked at it, closed his eyes and thought again, Shen Kuo did the same thing.
"Guan Jia, is this a boat in the snow?"
This is the difference between scientists and politicians in this era. Cabinet ministers need Zhao Xi to explain, but Su Song and Shen Kuo can see the use of things at a glance.
"Snow boating? This name fits the bill. Let's call it that. Do you two think it's feasible?"
"I'm not sure, but I think this style can be tried. It's just that if the snow is loose, it will be difficult for the horses to move."
Su Song spoke and Shen Kuo nodded. Regardless of whether Shen Kuo had reached a certain status or not, he was very cautious.
"Zirong, the government ordered us to requisition mastiff dogs, large mastiff dogs..."
"Officials, prime ministers, noble officials, I think this thing is feasible! Using Tubo mastiff dogs to pull this snow boat can completely smooth the circulation of the entire Northland in winter! Officials, please report, and the workshop will start immediately
Construction, samples will be out by tomorrow at the latest!”
There is no need to explain a boating in the snow. Just look at the style and the cabinet can try to imagine the scene. On snowy days, children will play skiing. It is not difficult to imagine. As for whether it works or not, I have tried it.